Kyo Tsukemen Tsurukame Main Store

“Cranes live a thousand years, turtles ten thousand”—though this is far from their actual lifespans, in Japan both cranes and turtles are considered auspicious animals that symbolize longevity. I imagine the restaurant “Kyo Tsukemen Tsurukame,” which includes the names of these two animals in its name, was named with the hope that the business would thrive for many years to come.

Founded in 2010, it doesn’t have a particularly long history, but it has already risen to become one of Kyoto’s leading tsukemen restaurants. Eager to see what kind of tsukemen they served, I headed to Shijo Teramachi, where the main store is located, one evening. But this place actually serves some pretty great dishes besides tsukemen, too…

An Extremely Cramped Shop with a Seedy Bar Vibe… This Is What “Kyo Tsukemen Tsurukame Main Store” Is Like…

The thing is, this “Kyo Tsukemen Tsurukame Main Store” is insanely cramped. It’s probably one of the narrowest ramen shops I’ve ever visited—maybe even the narrowest or second narrowest. Somehow, the layout gives off the vibe of a small, seedy bar in Shinjuku’s Golden Gai, run by just a single owner. Maybe this spot used to be that kind of bar before Tsurukame moved in? I can’t help but wonder.Inside that incredibly cramped space, there are only eight counter seats. Not only do you end up touching the person next to you, but there’s so little space that you can’t even walk past the customers sitting at the counter from behind. I’m not sure if it’s because of the space, but there’s a sense of unity with the people you’re eating with. It’s a feeling I haven’t had since I ate ramen at a street stall somewhere a long time ago…

Also, among the “Mataoma-style” varieties, this one has a particularly strong seafood flavor… How did I actually find the Seafood Soy Sauce Tsukemen—the signature dish at Kyo

So, let me introduce the Seafood Soy Sauce Tsukemen, the restaurant’s signature dish, which I ordered that day at Kyo Tsukemen Tsurukame Main Store. You can customize the portion size from four options: S, M, L, and XL. This time, I ordered the XL, and the price—which I was curious about—was 1,550 yen (tax included)… Tsukemen Tsurukame Main Store—when I tried it?

About 10 minutes after ordering, the Seafood Soy Sauce Tsukemen (XL) was brought to my table, and this is what it looked like. As expected of an extra-large size, the volume of noodles in the ramen bowl was quite impressive. When I asked a staff member, they told me the XL portion contains 450g of noodles before boiling.

Well then, let’s dive right in and try those noodles… They’re straight, medium-thick noodles made with whole wheat flour. The surface is smooth, and when biting down, there’s an incredibly firm chew, accompanied by a rich wheat aroma that fills your nose.

As for the dipping broth, it’s quite thick and viscous. It’s based on the umami of pork and chicken, with a pronounced seafood flavor, all tied together by a sharp soy sauce base… that’s the general impression. When taken in, the fish powder hits the nose with a powerful aroma—it’s quite an impactful experience. However, while it’s physically rich, the aftertaste is surprisingly clean. So, even toward the end, you don’t get tired of eating it at all, and you can keep slurping it down effortlessly.

As a result, the 450g of noodles—before boiling—disappeared into my stomach in the blink of an eye, and I finished the whole bowl in just a few minutes. And finally…

I asked the server to make a “soup portion” for me. This revived the heat in the broth that had cooled down from soaking the noodles, and the once-thick broth became smooth and light, washing away the flavors in my mouth and throat with a pleasant seafood flavor, much like a post-meal tea. This is the signature dish at Kyo Tsukemen Tsurukame Main Store—the Seafood Soy Sauce Tsukemen, which falls into the so-called “Mataoma-style” category. Among those, I’d say this one has an exceptionally intense seafood flavor. If you’re in the mood for a “really strong seafood kick,” I highly recommend this tsukemen.

Other Menu Items at Kyo Tsukemen Tsurukame Main Store (Prices include tax)

• Saikyo Miso Tantan Tsukemen (Regular) 1,200 yen
• Spicy and Savory Tsukemen (Regular) 1,200 yen
• Spicy and Savory Ramen (Regular) 1,200 yen
• Shoyu Tsukemen (Regular) 1,150 yen
• Seafood Shoyu Ramen (Regular) 1,100 yen

There’s also a branch at Kawaramachi Rokkaku… To get to the main store of Kyo Tsukemen Tsurukame, it’s a short walk from the nearest station, Kyoto Kawaramachi Station on the Hankyu Kyoto Line.

Speaking of Kyo Tsukemen Tsurukame, they’ve opened a branch at Kawaramachi Rokkaku, not far from the main store featured here (unfortunately, the Tsurukame location in Ichijoji closed at the end of March, Reiwa 8). Since the space isn’t as cramped as the main store, if you want to relax and enjoy your tsukemen, you might want to visit the branch instead of the main store. They offer the same full menu as the main store, including the signature seafood soy sauce tsukemen. Both locations are in the heart of the city and are extremely convenient, so if you’re a tsukemen fan, why not pay them a visit?

Now, here are the details about the restaurant…

P.S. If you’re looking for delicious ramen in Kyoto, be sure to check out this article as well…